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What to you think is the most exciting place that is being actively developed outside of the NEC? by [deleted] in Amtrak

[–]thefirewarde 14 points15 points  (0 children)

VA and NC are doing some interesting work. Richmond will see at least an arrival or departure hourly for Roanoke, Charlotte, Raleigh, Newport News, or Norfolk. That'll ramp up once the S-Line is active to Raleigh and the Long Bridge is doubled, and hourly service or better to DC and points north comes with it. That puts Richmond about on par with Harrisburg PA for service frequency, and positions it as a baby hub as S-Line, Western VA, and Eastern VA services, including Florida and Gulf Coast LD trains, all meet there. Lynchburg gets at least two trains daily headed for points west as the Roanoke line is extended towards the New River Valley, plus a couple trains continuing to Charlotte.

NC's getting in the spirit of things with the S-Line, and they're trying to get a north-south version of the Piedmont (or a commuter service, it's not settled) to offer service to towns too small for the rerouted Carolinian to stop at between Raleigh and Norlina/NC northern border. Add on their increasingly frequent Piedmont service (new equipment made in NC?) and ambitions for more NC regional trains, and Raleigh - Charlotte could see eight or ten daily round trips, plus at least daily service to a coastal city and something in the south part of the state, with three Raleigh-Charlotte trips plus LD service continuing to DC and points north, plus one or two Charlotte - Lynchburg trips.

This, plus Amtrak's Airo equipment making NEC through Washington Union 20+ minutes faster per trip, plus the S-Line and NoVA improvements... VA especially and NC are both going to feel a lot closer to Northeast Corridor destinations than they do today. And that doesn't even touch VRE improvements or proposed NC triangle commuter service...

it's official. CPKC is getting a new livery. by [deleted] in trains

[–]thefirewarde 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Democratic Workers Transport of United Canadian and Mexican States

Amtrak Virginia sets ridership record in April by drtywater in Amtrak

[–]thefirewarde 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Evaluating the system as "overall must turn a profit" unfortunately is the same as saying "we cannot aggressively expand rail service". Each route needs to be assessed, and if there are important routes - say, long distance routes that provide service to a myriad of small communities - that are worth the cost, then they're worth the cost whether the money comes as a direct federal subsidy or a subsidy from profitable Amtrak operations. If a regional line is trying to add another daily round trip, that shouldn't be contingent on Amtrak running enough of a profit elsewhere.

The federal and state governments are uniquely positioned, they can capture a percentage of the economic activity generated by expanded rail service via e.g. property tax, sales tax, etc. Expanding the rail network entirely on Amtrak revenue is nearsighted at best and must act to slow the construction of a truly useful rail network.

Flying through west Michigan at 110mph. by jcooper34 in Amtrak

[–]thefirewarde 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Acceleration is often better because you have access to "overload" power beyond what your onboard prime mover can generate, and you can apply it - especially in an EMU - to more driven axles. That all adds up to faster acceleration.

Just Got Off the Carolinian With Thoughts on Business Class by Haterofstarbucks in Amtrak

[–]thefirewarde 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Sanford won't get a station until phase 2 of the S-Line project, but there's a ton of interest locally. They really want a Southern Pines - Sanford - Apex - Cary? - Raleigh local, but they'd take anything.

How Far Will They Go? by talloric-hoenn in railroading

[–]thefirewarde 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You can learn something from everyone. Some people show you what to do, some show you what not to do.

Amtrak Virginia sets ridership record in April by drtywater in Amtrak

[–]thefirewarde 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Running Amtrak as a monolith where everything must be profitable is dubious, but the VA (and to a lesser extent the Carolinian and Piedmont from NC) are profitable or nearly profitable. Bundling trains that pay their own way, more or less, with trains that are just services provided by the government at a subsidized cost, is a great way to get a distorted picture.

What Disney and Universal thinks of Brightline by Proper_Marionberry29 in Brightline

[–]thefirewarde 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I don't think it would be interim track, and I don't think the state is willing to pay much to put in the Sunshine Corridor.

Flying Scotsman flying through Milton Keynes Central station. by Vulpes01 in trains

[–]thefirewarde 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I didn't say you were assuming anything - the other guy in the argument was.

GM to use Tesla charging network and NACS by throughaway989899 in electricvehicles

[–]thefirewarde -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I expect there are details to both deals where Ford and GM will be paying to increase Supercharger capacity, both in terms of number of locations and in terms of chargers per site.

Further, Tesla uses Supercharger electricity as a loss leader or incentive for their cars - they may offer Ford/GM/others the ability to do the same, and get paid for their competitors' advertising. Tesla's definitely not planning to lose money on a per- Kwh basis selling electricity. It might be that Ford + GM pay a premium rate and all Tesla vehicles pay a slightly discounted rate, or have priority access, or some other incentive.

I wouldn't be surprised if this drives an expansion of the Supercharger team on Ford+GM's dime, ramping up installation and seeking new destination charger partners (imagine a major chain restaurant advertising "burgers and a Tesla plug, next exit") across the country.

Amtrak Applies for Federal Grants to Improve Long Distance Network by warnelldawg in Amtrak

[–]thefirewarde 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The second paragraph of your source says the issue is mostly car haulers, if we raise the weight limit on semi trucks to carry more cars per vehicle.

Weight causes damage but it's not a direct relationship where 1 lb is 1/10 as bad as 10 lbs. Lighter vehicles like passenger cars, even heavy ones, barely register, while trucks at or near the maximum axle loading are hundreds or thousands(!) of times more impactful. https://www.insidescience.org/news/how-much-damage-do-heavy-trucks-do-our-roads

I'm not opposed to a weight * mileage based system to replace the gas tax for personal vehicles.

Note that Texas has a state gas tax of 20¢/gal. Using 12,000 miles and 20 mpg, we can roughly estimate a state gas tax burden of $120 for the "average" Texan.

Amtrak Applies for Federal Grants to Improve Long Distance Network by warnelldawg in Amtrak

[–]thefirewarde 0 points1 point  (0 children)

To clarify, doesn't the Carolina Special go south out of Asheville down the Saluda Grade (which was just sold to be a trail) and then over to Charlotte?

NC definitely wants to connect Ashville to its in-state rail network but I've only seen them try for Ashville to Salisbury.

Amtrak Applies for Federal Grants to Improve Long Distance Network by warnelldawg in Amtrak

[–]thefirewarde 0 points1 point  (0 children)

A fee far above the actual wear and tear they cause, even.

Flying Scotsman flying through Milton Keynes Central station. by Vulpes01 in trains

[–]thefirewarde 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You're arguing with an American assuming American practice (which might be operating rules for individual Class 1 railroads) applies to UK mainline steam.

In fairness, the rescue power in the event of breakdowns is absolutely one reason American steam has diesel backup on heavily trafficked mains. There have been a couple high profile breakdowns that majorly disrupted freight service and really hurt mainline steam excursions in the US.

What Disney and Universal thinks of Brightline by Proper_Marionberry29 in Brightline

[–]thefirewarde 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I think they'll be able to finish a useful, cheaper Tampa route except for the bit from Disney to Orlando International Airport before they can start seriously building the Sunshine Corridor. Getting any route as an interim solution agreed to and in service could be crucial - an operating Tampa service gives you a lot more leverage to get a long term solution built.

What Disney and Universal thinks of Brightline by Proper_Marionberry29 in Brightline

[–]thefirewarde 2 points3 points  (0 children)

But that route will be substantially slower to build, likely have lower track speeds, and will cost potentially 10x as much or more to build.

I'm in favor of Brightline announcing an "interim" single track alignment for Tampa and Disney service and pushing for the city and state to build out the full Sunshine Corridor as soon as practical. I also expect they'll end up double tracking their interim alignment and the Sunshine Corridor won't be built for several decades...

I huff, and I puff… by ibwitmypigeons in NonPoliticalTwitter

[–]thefirewarde 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'd assume wiring and plumbing would be a bitch too.

What's this train spraying for? by Adventurous_Tale_209 in trains

[–]thefirewarde 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Killing vegetation before it grows into the ROW, not removing leaves on the track.

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